Gowin, who's completing her first term at the council, will get her chance tonight at a Tulare Chamber of Commerce-sponsored forum seeking to provide information for those seeking local public office.

The newest council member in Tulare, Gowin said those thinking about running for public should go for it.

"It's a life experience," she said. "It has been a good life experience."

Gowin said she didn't see herself as council member. But time changed that perspective.

"Here I am," she said.

Tulare Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer Kathleen Johnson said the idea to host a forum was to help those considering a run for public office.

"We want to provide information about the election for the community," she said. "We wanted to provide a service for chamber members."

For the November election, there are 10 seats up when considering the city council, the city and high school boards and the Tulare Regional Medical Center.

The Tulare City Council will have Districts 2 and 4 seats open. Mayor David Macedo has announced he'll seek re-election. Council member Skip Barwick, who resides in the same district, has announced he won't run.

Barwick will also be at the forum to answer questions.

The Tulare City School District will have Districts 1 and 4 seats open. Irene Henderson, from District 1, has announced she'll run again, while Phil Plascencia, from District 4, said he was undecided.

The Tulare Joint Union High School District will have districts 2, 3 and 5 up for election. District 2's Laura Fonseca said he plans to seek re-election, while Craig Hamilton, district 3, and Dr. Steve Lesley, District 5, said they were undecided.

The Tulare Regional Medical Center's board will have three openings and at least one new members. The hospital's districts 1, 3 and 5 are up.

Laura Gadke — who's finishing a term — lives in a different area, can't run and will step down. District 5 is open.

Richard Torrez, District 1, and Dr. Parmod Kumar, District 3, said they are undecided.

The nomination period is between July 14 and Aug. 8.

For the Tulare information forum, Johnson said there will be a short presentation and then a question-and-answer period.

Johnson said she wants the forum to be quick and informative.

The election information forum will be the chamber's second in the last few weeks. Previously, the chamber hosted a forum on water issues and the drought.

Johnson said she expected the election forum to be well received.

"It will be a great service for chamber members and the community," she said.

How to attend

What: Community Forum

When: 7 p.m., Tuesday.

Where: Tulare Senior Center, 201 North F St.

Information: 686-1547 or www.tularechamber.org.

District maps

To check out a map for the Tulare City Council, log on to http://vtd-tar.co/T3Y6Pc.

To check out a map for the Tulare City School District, log on to http://vtd-tar.co/T3Yayo

To check out a map for the Tulare Joint High School District, log on to http://vtd-tar.co/1mg5vXj

To check out a map for the Tulare Regional Medical Center, log on to http://vtd-tar.co/V6WZjM